'''1539: &nbsp;'''Marcos de Niza a Spanish Franciscan Friar was first to explore Arizona.

+

== Introduction ==

−

'''1776<nowiki>:</nowiki>'''<nowiki>The Spanish established a garrison at Tucson.</nowiki>

+

Effective family history research requires some understanding of the historical events that affected your family and the records about them. Learning about wars, governments, laws, migrations, and religious trends can help you understand political boundaries, family movements, and settlement patterns.

−

'''1821:'''&nbsp; Arizona became a part of Mexico. Apache troubles eliminated white settlements except in Tucson.

+

State, county, and local histories often contain biographical sketches of local citizens, including important genealogical information. This may be one of the best sources of information for some families. See [[Arizona Genealogy]] and [[Arizona Archives and Libraries]]

−

'''1846:'''&nbsp; The Mormon Battalion built Cooke's Wagon Road, south of the Gila River. The road became a favorite route into Arizona and California for early prospectors and pioneers.

+

=== Historical Content ===

−

'''1846:''' U.S. Military under command of Col. Alexander W. Doniphan engaged the Navajo at Bear Springs.

+

County and local histories often contain biographical and historical information about residents and their families. They may provide the occupation, previous residences, birth date, or birthplace (city, county, and state or country).

−

'''1848-1853:'''&nbsp; Mexico ceded the portion of Arizona north of the Gila River to the United States. This became part of New Mexico Territory in 1850. In 1853, the Gadsden Purchase added the area south of the Gila.

+

Information about a family may be found in a history under the married name of a daughter or sister. Relatives or clues are often found by studying the pages that have biographies of residents or that tell the history of the town or township where an ancestor lived.

−

'''1862:&nbsp;''' Indian battle of Apache Pass

+

Histories are great sources of genealogical information. Many contain biographical information about individuals who lived in the area, including:

−

'''1864:''' Kit Carson, led a U.S. army&nbsp;against the&nbsp;Navajo Indians.&nbsp; The army killed the&nbsp;sheep and burned their crops forcing the tribe to surrender or face starvation.&nbsp;The Navajo were&nbsp;marched to Fort Sumner at Bosque Redondo, New Mexico.&nbsp;The march&nbsp;became known as "The Long Walk". Eight thousand survived the march but many others died.

+

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" width="80%"

+

|-

+

| valign="top" |

+

*Parents' names

+

*Maiden names of women

+

*Place of birth, death, or marriage

−

'''1863-1866:'''&nbsp; Arizona was organized as a separate territory. The first four counties were organized in 1864. In 1866, the northwestern part of Arizona Territory was transferred to the new state of Nevada.

+

| valign="top" |

+

*Occupation

+

*Migration

+

*Military service

−

'''1886:&nbsp; '''(September 4) Apache Indian Chief, Geronimo, captured by Federal Troops under General Miles in Arizona, ending the last major Indian War. Geronimo had led his band on a six month escape from San Carlos reservation in Arizona.&nbsp;

*'''1853''' The Gadsden Purchase bought from Mexico, it added the area south of the Gila to New Mexico Territory. Didn't become effective until 1855.

+

*'''1 August 1861''' The Confederate States of America declared the southern part of New Mexico territory as Arizona territory, claiming both territories. But the confederacy soon lost control over all Arizona and New Mexico land.

+

*'''1862:''' Indian battle of Apache Pass. Battle of Picacho Pass (Western most battle of Civil War)

+

*'''24 February 1863''' Territory of Arizona created by US from the western half of New Mexico Territory. The first four Arizona counties created.

+

*'''1864:''' Kit Carson, led a U.S. army against the Navajo Indians. The army killed the sheep and burned their crops forcing the tribe to surrender or face starvation. The Navajo were marched to Fort Sumner at Bosque Redondo, New Mexico. The march became known as "The Long Walk". Eight thousand survived the march but many others died.

+

*'''1866:''' The northwestern part of Arizona Territory was transferred by the US government to the State of Nevada, thought Arizona resisted until 1871. Battle of Skull Cave (Indian &amp; federal troops)

+

*'''1871''' Camp Grant Massacre

+

*'''1873''' Apache removal by U.S. Army under direction of Kit Carson.

+

*'''1882''' Battle of Big Dry Wash

+

*'''4 September 1886''' Apache Indian Chief, Geronimo surrendered to Federal Troops under General Miles in Arizona, ending the last major Indian War. Geronimo had led his band on a six month escape from San Carlos reservation in Arizona.

+

*'''1870-1910''' The non-Indian population of Arizona increased from fewer than 10,000 to over 200,000 as settlers moved in from many states and countries.

+

*'''14 February 1912''' Arizona became a state.

−

'''1871:&nbsp;''' Camp Grant Massacre

+

Also see [[Previous Jurisdictions to land in Arizona]] showing dates the jurisdictions were created and maps. This will help in determining what jurisdiction your ancestor lived in and where the records are now located.

−

'''1873:&nbsp;''' Apache removal by U.S. Army under direction of Kit Carson.

+

== History ==

−

'''1882:&nbsp;''' Battle of Big Dry Wash

+

Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of Arizona.

−

'''1870-1910<nowiki>:</nowiki>'''<nowiki>The non-Indian population of Arizona increased from fewer than 10,000 to over 200,000 as settlers moved in from many states and countries.</nowiki>

*''A Bibliography of American County Histories'' <ref>Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. ({{FHL|A Bibliography of American County Histories|title|disp=FHL book 973 H23bi}})</ref> <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>

−

Sources for studying the history of Arizona include:

+

*''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress'' <ref>Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. ({{FHL|252458|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 A3ka}}.) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;qt=results_page Worldcat] </ref>

Wyllys, Rufus Kay. ''Arizona: The History of a Frontier State''. Phoenix, Arizona: Hobson and Herr, 1950.

+

Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Arizona are:

−

A bibliography that includes some local histories is Donald M. Powell, ''Arizona Gathering II, 1950-1969: An Annotated Bibliography'' (Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona Press, 1973).

*''Arizona: The History of a Frontier State'' <ref>Wyllys, Rufus Kay. ''Arizona: The History of a Frontier State''. Phoenix, Arizona: Hobson and Herr, 1950. ( Family History Library {{FHL|198242|title-id|disp=book 979.1 H2w}}.) </ref>

*''The Almanac of American History'', <ref>Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983. ({{FHL|The Almanac of American History.|title|disp=FHL book 973 H2alm}}) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9392978&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.

+

+

*''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed'' <ref>'' Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. ({{FHL|76529|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 H2ad}}.)</ref> <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2507380&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations. A snippet view is available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Lz9WC9EyF08C&q=9780684138565&dq=9780684138565&ei=F4GxSbisHpDMlQSW3Z36BQ&pgis=1 Google books].

+

+

*''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium'' <ref>'' Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. Springfield, Mass.: G&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;C Merriam, 1971. ({{FHL|Webster%27s Guide to American History%3A A Chronological%2C Geographical%2C and Biographical Survey and Compendium|title|disp=FHL book 973 H2v}}) </ref><ref>Limited view at [http://books.google.com/books?id=MVU6DS6Re8gC&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;dq=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History:+A+Chronological,+Geographical,+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium%27&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ei=Vn-xSeS6FJDUlQSby81v#PPP13,M1 Google Books] </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;qt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref>This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.

+

+

*''Writings on American History'' <ref>''Writings on American History'' By American Historical Association, Library of Congress, United States National Historical Publications Commission, Published by KTO Press, 1921 {{FHL|244514|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 H23w}} </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Writings+on+American+History&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;qt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref>Has the full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=mgEPAAAAYAAJ&dq=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&ei=N3yxSd6pI4K0kATC-qRu Google Books]

+

+

To find more books and articles about Arizona 's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "Arizona history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like:

Revision as of 21:40, 18 January 2013

Contents

Introduction

Effective family history research requires some understanding of the historical events that affected your family and the records about them. Learning about wars, governments, laws, migrations, and religious trends can help you understand political boundaries, family movements, and settlement patterns.

State, county, and local histories often contain biographical sketches of local citizens, including important genealogical information. This may be one of the best sources of information for some families. See Arizona Genealogy and Arizona Archives and Libraries

Historical Content

County and local histories often contain biographical and historical information about residents and their families. They may provide the occupation, previous residences, birth date, or birthplace (city, county, and state or country).

Information about a family may be found in a history under the married name of a daughter or sister. Relatives or clues are often found by studying the pages that have biographies of residents or that tell the history of the town or township where an ancestor lived.

Histories are great sources of genealogical information. Many contain biographical information about individuals who lived in the area, including:

Parents' names

Maiden names of women

Place of birth, death, or marriage

Occupation

Migration

Military service

Descendants

Timeline

The following important events in the history of Arizona affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements.

1539: Marcos de Niza a Spanish Franciscan Friar was first to explore Arizona.

1776: The Spanish established a garrison at Tucson.

1821: Mexico took control over the land now included in Arizona. Apache troubles restricted white settlement to Tucson.

1846: The Mormon Battalion built Cooke's Wagon Road, south of the Gila River. The road became a favorite route across Arizona and into California for early prospectors and pioneers.

1846: U.S. Military under command of Col. Alexander W. Doniphan engaged the Navajo at Bear Springs. US occupied what is now New Mexico, effectively controlling it.

1848 Mexico ceded land north of the Gila River, to the United States, including a major portion of Arizona.

1853 The Gadsden Purchase bought from Mexico, it added the area south of the Gila to New Mexico Territory. Didn't become effective until 1855.

1 August 1861 The Confederate States of America declared the southern part of New Mexico territory as Arizona territory, claiming both territories. But the confederacy soon lost control over all Arizona and New Mexico land.

1862: Indian battle of Apache Pass. Battle of Picacho Pass (Western most battle of Civil War)

24 February 1863 Territory of Arizona created by US from the western half of New Mexico Territory. The first four Arizona counties created.

1864: Kit Carson, led a U.S. army against the Navajo Indians. The army killed the sheep and burned their crops forcing the tribe to surrender or face starvation. The Navajo were marched to Fort Sumner at Bosque Redondo, New Mexico. The march became known as "The Long Walk". Eight thousand survived the march but many others died.

1866: The northwestern part of Arizona Territory was transferred by the US government to the State of Nevada, thought Arizona resisted until 1871. Battle of Skull Cave (Indian & federal troops)

1871 Camp Grant Massacre

1873 Apache removal by U.S. Army under direction of Kit Carson.

1882 Battle of Big Dry Wash

4 September 1886 Apache Indian Chief, Geronimo surrendered to Federal Troops under General Miles in Arizona, ending the last major Indian War. Geronimo had led his band on a six month escape from San Carlos reservation in Arizona.

1870-1910 The non-Indian population of Arizona increased from fewer than 10,000 to over 200,000 as settlers moved in from many states and countries.

14 February 1912 Arizona became a state.

Also see Previous Jurisdictions to land in Arizona showing dates the jurisdictions were created and maps. This will help in determining what jurisdiction your ancestor lived in and where the records are now located.

History

Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the Family History Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "History" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of Arizona.

A bibliography that includes some local histories is Arizona Gathering II, 1950-1969: An Annotated Bibliography.[1]

State Histories Useful to Genealogists

Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Arizona are:

Robinson, William Henry. The Story of Arizona. Phoenix, Ariz: Berryhill Co, 1919. AccessGenealogy.com scan of the entire book.

United States History

The following are only a few of the many sources that are available:

The Almanac of American History, [8][9]This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.

Dictionary of American History, Revised ed[10][11]This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations. A snippet view is available at Google books.

Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium[12][13][14]This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.